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Maybe it'll become a froyo place

Bettlebrox noticed the sign in the window of Steve's Greek Cuisine, 316 Newbury St. According to their Facebook page, the Newbury Street location shut forever on Sunday, although they still have a stand inside Quincy Market.

I lived above the UPS store on that block for 7 years and Steve's was always an excellent source of hangover breakfast.

But yes, the evolution of my old block into frozen yogurt and frozen beverages in general is disgusting. Tourists used to leave those Goddamn cups on my steps every day. Isn't there ANOTHER type of business that can open and be successful on that block besides multiples of the same stupid thing?

Or, for maximum convenience, a CVS, with a full-service TD Bank inside its front doors. Tellers and everything.

But wait. We need to go deeper. What if these banking customers get a headache, or need to pluck unsightly chin hairs while waiting in the bank? What if we put a small apothecary inside the bank inside the CVS?

My guess is that he may literally be leasing it to himself (two different business entities), and that in any case, he figured it would be better PR (for his remaining stand) he "lost his lease" rather than saying "I'm cashing in, buh-bye!"

usually "lost our lease" means that a renewal option wasn't exercised or in this economy, the tenant made a run at the landlord for a reduction. Contrary to urban legend, even in Boston, real estate appreciation has a limit. (I'm in the business.)

Truth is the building sold. While the restaurant may have been loved prior to renovations, the clientele has not returned since and business was not good enough to sustain itself without owning building. Those who say from PR perspective it looks better to say they lost their lease are correct. Shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in 3 generations....

A quick search on the Suffolk Registry of Deeds found nothing related to a sale of that property. The most recent deed related to that property or name was in 2002. It may be under agreement to sell or something, but to date it hasn't sold.

They had to sell? If they did own, I wouldn't be surprised if the cost of property taxes, etc. were getting out of hand there. The more these big chains come in and make money, the more value the properties around them have, and things can get out of hand quickly. I worked in the Back Bay for 3 years and have seen more businesses come and go than I can remember, and more than 1 shop owner told me it was because their building was bought and/or their rent was increased to an astronomical amount.